Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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either attain a disproportionate share of the world's energy, or else
we must introduce a major, new energy source.
He rejected the first option as unethical, and since without this
new energy source, the Third World would be kept in poverty.
Therefore, the development and deployment of nuclear power in
these nations are essential.
Now is the current generation of nuclear plants the proper product
to export to the Third World? Even from a very nationalistic
point of view, I think not. Those countries simply don't have the
technical infrastructure required to operate the current generation
of reactors in a safe and efficient manner, nor can they afford to
direct their future technical capabilities out of proportion to such a
task.
It is vital that this capability be utilized for design and construction
of dams and irrigation systems and transportation systems, to
feed their populations. They should be insisting on systems that
have improved, inherent safety and investment protection features.
But I ask, what if a serious accident in a developing country
were to occur? You discussed the type of reactor going into Cuba
this morning. Pressured water reactor with containment. What
would be the impact of a serious accident due to solely operator
error if they failed to have the technical infrastructure such as has
been described by INPO hearing this morning?
I believe there would be a demand from the public and the
United States to shut similar reactor types down. My message is
that we can provide an inherently safe reactor for export to the developing
countries not just for our own good, but to protect our
ability to generate nuclear energy in the United States with the
current generation of reactors.
Thus, the accident at Chernobyl calls for an acceleration of the
program to develop these inherently safe reactors, such as the modular
high-temperature reactor that is being restricted by its current
funding level.
We appreciate the opportunity to appear before you and present
our views on some of the implications that can be expected from
the Chernobyl incident. Thank you, very much.
[The prepared statement of Dr. Dean follows:]